WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY ?
Family Is the Best Part of My Day
The best part of my day is getting home from work . My family is home by the time I get there , and this is the beginning of my favorite time of the day . We have dinner , do homework , kids ’ activities and spend time together as a family . Perhaps this seems like an odd way to start an essay about why I love my job : allow me to explain . It is the best part of my day , just like it is for all of the families who I take care of . When I see my office patients , I know that they ’ re the best part of the day for their families too . Whether they ’ re seeing me for their annual well child check-up , for acute illness or for a follow-up , they have come to me to keep them healthy and safe . Their parents have entrusted me with the most precious thing to them : what an honor , and what a responsibility .
I decided to go into primary care between my second and third year of medical school . My dad , who practiced family medicine , passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at this time . It was the most devastating event of my life , but the silver lining was that I met a lot of his patients after his death . They each had a story about him . They would tell me , “ He really listened .” “ He always cared .” “ He took the time .” “ He saved my life !” The director came to my family at the end of his visitation and explained that there was still a line of people waiting . It went outside the building , down the block and wrapped around the corner . Hundreds of people came to pay their respects to my father , and I got to see just what a primary care doctor could mean to a community and to the people they serve . I carry their stories in my heart every day of my life . They remind me of why we do what we do and how much it means to them even if we don ’ t hear it every day .
The passing of my father was the first life-changing moment that would shape my career . The birth of my daughter was the second . I chose pediatric primary care , and I appreciated my job and my role a lot more when I became a parent . Now I was experiencing firsthand the joy , the love and also the worry that comes with having a child . I learned quickly that I had poor clinical judgement when it came
12 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by HEATHER FELTON , MD , FAAP
to my own children . Physicians are never spared parental anguish or anxiety with their own injured or ill child , even the pediatricians , and I sought guidance from colleagues frequently . I would call , text , send pictures and seek second opinions . I had a list that I would cycle through so that I never bothered one individual too often . I appreciate even more the way my families feel when they bring their child to my office . At the same time , I felt so honored and so special to be that person , that lifeline for concerned parents . I was on their list of trusted individuals for the times their child needed help .
How fortunate am I that every day families chose me to be a part of their journey through childhood and parenthood ? Funny , tearful , heartfelt stories will be told around the dinner table and at holidays about things that happen in my office , and I will be a part of the narrative . I often share my own stories about my family and my children with them . I do that every day . It is a very special relationship and connection that I am so proud to be a part of . I ’ ve been invited to birthday parties and adoption parties . They have brought me gifts and crafts made by my patients . I ’ ve visited them when they are in the hospital ( often with gifts ). And we see each other at community events . I ’ ve even had patients tell me that they have written essays about me ( I suppose I had to return the favor !).
My role in medicine is centered around families . I love being a part of the story of each family in my practice and I feel honored that they have chosen me for this role in their lives . The best part of my day is when I am with my family , but I am so lucky to be a part of each family that I take care of – so lucky I get to do that all day . The best part of my day is when I get to spend time with my family because not only is it my refuge , but these sweet times that I carry with me at work . My patients ’ parents feel the same way about their children : the same deep love , deep joy and worry , too .
The best part of my day reminds me how fortunate I am to be a part of all of my families .
This essay was a submission to the 2023 Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest .
Dr . Felton is a pediatrician with Norton Healthcare and UofL Department of Pediatrics .